Retired Naples Cardinal Michele Giordano, the highest ranking church
official to ever stand trial in Italy, has died at the age of 80.
Church officials say he was admitted to a hospital in Naples a week ago and died Thursday night. No cause of death was given.
The Vatican released a condolence message from Pope Benedict XVI,
calling Giordano "a dear brother who generously served the Gospel and
the church."
The cardinal was acquitted in 2000 of charges that he supplied about
$800,000 (euro600,000) to finance a loan-shark ring run linked to his
family.
He was also accused of misappropriating another $500,000 in
church funds.
He had always proclaimed his innocence.
Giordano served as archbishop of Naples from 1987 until 2006 when he retired for reasons of age.
SIC: TWP/INT'L